Big Brother Network

Program Summary:

The Big Brother Network is a mentoring program that connects Sigma Nu Actives with Alumni.  The program aims to provide Actives with personal and professional growth opportunities while strengthening the bond between the Alumni and the Chapter.

The program has two primary goals.

  • Offers Actives access to guidance, advice, and support from experienced Alumni to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

  • Creates a network of support and guidance that strengthens the bond between Alumni and the Chapter.

A win for all! The Big Brother Network is an excellent opportunity for Actives to connect with Alumni and gain valuable insights and guidance to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.

Goals:

  • Creating a professional mentor network between current House Actives and Alumni is a great way to provide mentorship, career advice, and support for students transitioning to post-college life. It's important to make sure that both the alumni and active members are engaged and invested in the program to ensure its success.

  • Strengthening the Chapter/Alumni relationship is a crucial goal for any alumni association or fraternity/sorority. Encouraging alumni to remain involved and connected with the chapter can help maintain a sense of community and tradition over time.

  • Offering mentoring, internship, volunteer, and job opportunities to Actives is a valuable way to help students gain practical experience and build their professional networks. Alumni who have connections in various industries or companies can play a key role in providing these opportunities.

  • Introducing Actives to LinkedIn and encouraging engagement with the platform is a smart way to help students build their online professional presence and connect with other professionals. It's important to make sure that the program provides adequate training and resources to help students effectively use LinkedIn and other networking tools.

  • Providing Actives with the skills and knowledge needed for employment/post-graduate studies is a great way to help students prepare for life after college. This can include workshops, guest speakers, and other resources that help students navigate the job market and build their resumes.

Requirements:

  • Actives are expected to participate actively in the program by regularly engaging with their mentors and attending networking events organized by the program.

  • Alumni are encouraged to provide constructive feedback and advice to their mentees and help them build a professional network.

  • Both Actives and Alumni are expected to follow the program's code of conduct, which includes treating each other with respect, maintaining confidentiality, and refraining from engaging in any behavior that could damage the reputation of the program or Sigma Nu.

  • The program administrators may periodically check in with the mentors and mentees to assess their progress and ensure that the program is meeting its goals.

  • The program administrators may also organize training sessions for the Actives and Alumni to help them develop the skills and knowledge needed to be effective mentors and mentees..

  • The program will be hosted on the private LinkedIn group https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1911127/

Details:

  • To join the Big Brother Network, Actives must create a LinkedIn profile if they don't have one already, and then join the Sigma Nu - Gamma Chi LinkedIn group. The group is a private forum exclusively for Sigma Nu Alumni and Actives who are part of the Big Brother Network.

  • Actives will have the option to search for Alumni based on specific criteria, such as location, current company, industry, or school, to find potential mentors. Actives can then reach out to Alumni via private messages to build relationships and seek mentorship.

  • In addition to Actives reaching out to Alumni, Alumni can also proactively express their interest in mentoring and supporting Actives by posting on the LinkedIn group page.

  • The Big Brother Network program offers Actives the opportunity to receive mentorship, internships, volunteer, and job opportunities through the support of Alumni.

  • The success of the program will rely heavily on the support and engagement of Alumni. They will be encouraged to cross-promote the network through various channels such as email, newsletters, Facebook groups, and Instagram.

  • Actives and Alumni are also encouraged to use the LinkedIn group to share their successes, ask questions, and offer support to one another.

  • Mentor/Mentee partnerships should meet a minimum of 4 times per year.  Increasing meeting frequency as needed when Active enters Junior year and beyond.  Alumni living in the area are encouraged to meet at the chapter house.

  • The Sigma Nu Website https://www.uwsigmanu.com/ will contain program details and FAQ's to help provide guidance on how to participate in the Big Brother Network. Additionally, a LinkedIn resource link is provided to facilitate good mentor-mentee relationships.  See FAQ section.

Best Practices for a Successful Big Brother Network:

  • Define expectations: Discuss and establish clear expectations with your mentor/mentee, such as communication frequency, meeting schedules, and specific areas of support.

  • Be proactive: Both mentors and mentees should take an active role in the relationship. Mentors can provide guidance and support, but mentees should also be proactive in seeking advice and feedback.

  • Establish trust: Mentoring relationships thrive on trust, so make sure to establish a rapport and maintain confidentiality.

  • Be flexible: Mentoring relationships may evolve over time, so be open to adjusting expectations and strategies as needed.

  • Stay committed: Building a successful mentoring relationship takes time and effort, so stay committed to the process and be patient.

In addition to these best practices, it's important to remember that a successful mentoring relationship is built on mutual respect, effective communication, and a willingness to learn and grow.

How do Alumni get involved?

Big Brother Network - sample case study:

Eli is interested in pursuing a career in Computer Engineering.  He joins the Big Brother Network after he initiates and is excited to connect with alumni who can offer guidance and support.

Through the Sigma Nu LinkedIn group, Eli searches for alumni who work in Computer Science and a few related fields and then sends them a private message via LinkedIn introducing himself and expressing interest in a mentorship relationship. He receives several responses from alumni who are eager to help.

Eli selects one of the alumni as his mentor and they schedule a video call to discuss goals and career aspirations. They continue to meet regularly over the course of next few years, with the mentor visiting the chapter house on a few occasions, enjoying Mary’s food and meeting some of the Actives!  The mentor provides advice on job search strategies, resume building, interview skills, and life skills.  In his Junior year, Eli finds a great Internship though this relationship, and is excited to join a summer Internship with Apple.  Along the way the mentor introduces Eli to other professionals in his network who may be able to help with his job search.

As a result of his mentorship experience, Eli feels more confident and prepared to enter the job market. He also has a stronger relationship with the Sigma Nu alumni community, and he plans to pay it forward by mentoring future actives when he becomes an alum himself.  After interviewing with several major tech firms, Eli accepts a software development job with Apple, continuing the relationship he formed as an intern.

Frequently Ask Questions

  • A: The Big Brother Network program is a mentoring network designed to connect current House Actives with Alumni. The goal is to offer Actives mentoring, internship, volunteer, and job opportunities to prepare them for employment and post-graduate studies.

  • A: Additional questions about the program can be found on the Sigma Nu website or by contacting program administrators through the LinkedIn group.

  • A: Yes, the program is only open to Sigma Nu – Gamma Chi Alumni and current Actives who have initiated.

  • A: The reason why pledges cannot participate in the Big Brother Network program is that their first year is typically the most challenging for new college students. As such, the Sigma Nu fraternity wants pledges to focus on learning how to be a Sigma Nu and Academics. Pledges are encouraged to build relationships with active members and alumni, but their focus should be on their pledge education and academic success during this time. Once they become Actives, they will be eligible to participate in the Big Brother Network program and receive mentorship, internship, volunteer, and job opportunities to help them achieve their career goals. Pledges are also encouraged join LinkedIn as soon as possible.

  • A: The program provides Actives with mentorship, internship, volunteer, and job opportunities while strengthening the alumni-active relationship.

  • A: LinkedIn is a social networking site designed for professionals to connect with colleagues, clients, potential employers, and other professionals in their industry. It's a platform to showcase your professional experience, skills, and achievements, and it can be used to find job opportunities, network with other professionals, and stay up to date with industry news and trends.

    https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a548441/what-is-linkedin-and-how-can-i-use-it-?lang=en

  • A: For alumni who do not have a LinkedIn profile, we still encourage them to participate in the Big Brother Network. They can contact the program administrator, Doug Ichikawa, to provide their contact information and area of expertise. In addition, we will offer access to resources and information related to mentoring and career development. Our goal is to ensure that all alumni who want to participate in the Big Brother Network have the opportunity to do so, regardless of their preferred method of communication.

  • A: LinkedIn offers both free and paid subscription plans. The free version provides access to basic features, such as creating a profile, job searching, and networking with other users. The paid subscription plans, known as Premium, offer additional features and benefits, such as increased visibility to recruiters and access to more job listings. However, joining LinkedIn and creating a basic profile is completely free. Click here to learn more or to join LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a1338223/sign-up-to-join-linkedin?lang=en

  • A: There are several ways that Alumni can participate in the Big Brother Network to help mentor and provide opportunities to current House Actives. Here are some ideas:

    • Join the Sigma Nu Gamma Chi LinkedIn group: Alumni can join the group and start connecting with Actives. This is a great way to share job and internship opportunities, offer advice, and provide mentorship to Actives.

    • Post on our group, letting the Actives know they're available for the Big Brother Network. Include a brief bio and any personal or professional information you wish to share

    • Post job and internship opportunities: If an Alumni has job or internship openings at their company, they can post them in the Sigma Nu LinkedIn group or share them with the Big Brother Network coordinator to pass along to Actives.

    • Offer mentorship: Alumni can offer to mentor Actives in their field of expertise. They can also provide guidance on career development, networking, and job searching.

    • Share your expertise: Alumni can share their expertise with Actives by participating in events or workshops, such as career fairs, informational interviews, or skill-building sessions.

    • Provide financial support: Alumni can also provide financial support to the Big Brother Network program, which can be used to fund events or workshops that benefit Actives.

    By participating in the Big Brother Network, Alumni can make a positive impact on the current generation of House Actives, build valuable relationships, and give back to their community.

  • A: Participation in the program is mandatory for all current House Actives who have initiated. Alumni participation is optional.

  • A: Actives and Alumni can join the program by:

    • Creating a LinkedIn profile

    • Joining the Sigma Nu – Gamma Chi (University of Washington) LinkedIn Group.

    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1911127/

  • A: We will use our private Facebook and LinkedIn groups to promote the program and encourage participation from all members. We will post regular updates and success stories about the program to our social media channels to create excitement and encourage involvement. We will cross-promote the program with messaging to our alumni via email, newsletter, Facebook group, LinkedIn group and Instagram.

  • A: A good mentoring relationship involves clear communication, goal setting, and a commitment to providing guidance and support. Here's a link to some best practices for mentoring:

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mentoring-best-practices-linkedin-learning/

  • A: Please refer to this resource on LinkedIn

    https://university.linkedin.com/content/dam/university/global/en_US/site/pdf/TipSheet-Students.pdf

  • A: Here are 10 Reasons Why Your LinkedIn Profile is NOT a Resume!

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-reasons-why-your-linkedin-profile-resume-michele-haggar/

  • A: Please refer to this resource on LinkedIn

    https://www.fastweb.com/career-planning/articles/how-to-use-linkedin-for-students

  • A: Please refer to this resource on LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/71/creating-a-linkedin-profile-what-you-need-to-know?lang=en

  • A: While ChatGPT can provide general guidance and advice on how to create a LinkedIn profile page, it is ultimately up to you to create and customize your own profile page. ChatGPT can help with tips on how to optimize your profile for search, highlight your skills and accomplishments, and make connections with other professionals on the platform. However, it is important to remember that your LinkedIn profile should reflect your unique professional brand and personality, so it is recommended that you take the time to personalize your profile page to ensure it accurately represents you and your professional goals.

  • A: For assistance, please reach out:

    Big Brother Network help – locate on LinkedIn

    • Todd Tarbert - todd@semble.com

    • Doug Ichikawa - dsichi@yahoo.com

    • Sandy Chin - sandy@sandychin.com

  • A: Yes! Actives should develop the habit to monitor LinkedIn for potential relationships. If an Alumni posts offering their mentoring, Actives or encouraged to respond as follows:

    • Review new post from Alumni and identify potential mentor connections.

    • "Like" the post to show support and gratitude.

    • Comment on the post, publicly thanking the Alum for reaching out and offering to be a part of the Big Brother Network.

    • If potential mentor, express interest in connecting. If privacy is needed, switch to sending a private message within LinkedIn.

    • If potential mentor, save the post on LinkedIn by clicking the three dots and selecting "save." This creates an index of saved posts within LinkedIn for future reference.

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